Hydraulic air-compressor.



G. HEIRIGH.

HYDRAULIO AIR COMPRESSOR.

APPLICATION FILED mum. 1912.

1,057,961 Patented Apr. 1,1913.

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WITNESS ES lNvENToR.

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ATTORNEYS COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON, D c.

CARL "HEIRICH, OF COLOGNE, GERMANY.

HYDRAULIC AIR-COMPRESSOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1, 1913.

Application filed February 9, 1912.. Serial No. 676,578.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CARL Harmon, a subject. of the King of Prussia, residing at 35 Ubierring, Cologne-on-the-Rhine, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hydraulic Air-Compressors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention.

My invention relates to hydraulic aircompressors.

One illustrative embodiment of my invention is represented by way of example in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical section showing a well-known hydraulic air-compressor. and Fig. 2 is a like view showing an improved hydraulic air-compressor according to my invention.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, in the hydraulic air-compressors constructed heretofore according to Taylors system on the principle of the water-drum blower, the water flowing into the head-race W descends in a vertical descending-pipe F, while at its upper end it sucks air through the inlets B and carries it along int-o a chamber A at the bottom of the said pipe where the air is separated and collected in consequence of the enlargement of the cross-section, while the water liberated from air flows laterally, rises in the shaft and flows away at C. The separated compressed air is removed from the chamber through a separate ascending pipe L. In the hydraulic compressors heretofore constructed according to Taylors system both the descending pipe and the chamber are made of sheet iron. The assembling and construction of this iron apparatus in the shaft and underground chamber is a diflicult and expensive matter. Also, as the apparatus can be erect-ed only in the shaft and chamber when they are free from water, either the water must be constantly pumped away or tubbing is necessary, so that in districts which abound in water or are flooded such great expense is entailed that the construction of the apparatus is out of the question. If it is desired, however, to make the narrow shaft requisite for containing both the descending-pipe and the rising water of the same dimensions as the underground chamber requisite for containing the separating and storage chamber in order to be able to assemble the entire apparatus above ground and to lower it under water, this would be impossible in practice in the case of relatively small plants in consequence of the enormous excavating costs alone, as indi .cated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. In contradistinction thereto, according to my invention, I make the separating and storage chamber and, under certain circumstances, the descending-pipe also, of a flexible material, e. g. rubber-coated fabric, so that the entire apparatus can be completely assembled above ground, then lowered through the narrow shaft in a folded or rolled condition, and finally expanded or inflated in suitable manner. As this lowering and expansion 0r inflation can take place without any difliculty under water, when the apparatus according to my invention is employed it is not necessary to pump out the water or to provide tubbing and consequently my apparatus can be used even in very wet or flooded ground. Further, the employment of the specifically light and elastic material enables hydraulic compressors or accumulators to be sunk and anchored in the sea, which is impossible when heavy rigid sheet iron constructions are employed owing to the motion of the waves.

In Fig. 2, showing a plant according to my invention by way of example, similar reference numerals designate similar parts, the material difference being that either the chamber A alone, or both the chamber A and the pipe F, is or are made of a flexible material, 6. g. rubber-coated fabric. Otherwise, the arrangement and mode of operation of the apparatus are substantially the same as described above with reference to Fig. 1.

I claim 1. In a hydraulic air-compressor of the type described, the combination, with a descending-pipe, of a separating and storage chamber connected therewith and composed of a flexible material, and an ascending-pipe connected with the said chamber.

2. In a hydraulic air-compressor of the type described, the combination of a descending-pipe, a separating and storage chamber connected therewith, and an ascending-pipe connected with the said chamber, the said descending-pipe and the said chamber being composed of a flexible foldable material, for the purpose specified.

3. In a hydraulic air compressor of the type described, a water receiving device, a

descending pipe designed to receive water from said Water receiving device, and a water ascending pipe surrounding said descending pipe for part of its distance, a separating and storage chamber formed of flexible material connected with said descending pipe, and means for guiding air from said separating and storage chamber.

4:. In a hydraulic air compressor of the type described, a water receiving housing, a descending pipe formed with a head having apertures communicating with the air and with said water receiving housing whereby air and water are caused to move downward through said descending pipe, a flexible pipe surrounding said descending pipe for part of its distance, a collapsible separating and storage chamber connected with said flexible pipe, and means for guiding the air from said separating and storage chamber.

5. In a hydraulic air compressor of the type described, a descending pipe of rigid material formed with a head having an air receiving aperture and a water receiving aperture, a water receiving housing surrounding said head and adapted to guide water into said water receiving aperture whereby air and water are forced down said descending pipe, an'ascending pipe surrounding said descending pipe for part of its distance, and a foldable flexible separating and storage chamber connected with said descending pipe in such a manner as to cause the descending pipe to project to a point below the top of said chamber, and means for guiding air from the top of said chamber to a point of discharge.

6. In a hydraulic air compressor, the combination of a descending pipe for conveying downwardly a mixture of air and water, a separating and storage chamber connected with said descending pipe and made compressible so as to be easily inserted through an opening of smaller diameter than the normal external diameter of said chamber, means for discharging water from said chamber, and means for conveying air from said chamber.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CARL HEIRICH.

Vitnesses LOUIS VANDORY, TH. THROONBEREND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

